From: "Adam J. Richter" <adam@yggdrasil.com>
Date: Thu, 14 Sep 2000 02:57:27 -0700
To: lwn@lwn.net
Subject: Press release: Yggdrasil ships world's first DVD9-ROM


September 14, 2000
For immediate release

Press Contact:
	Amy Allen
	+1 408 261 6630
	press@yggdrasil.com


	San Jose, CA--Yggdrasil Computing has shipped the world's
first Linux DVD9-ROM, a successor format to CD-ROM's, with over
twelve times the capacity.  Linux DVD Archives (MSRP $24.95) contains
over eight billion bytes of open source software (over 23 billion
bytes uncompressed), giving Linux users a new level of convenience and
access to open source software.

	Linux DVD Archives is the first DVD-ROM made from dvdtape, a
program released under the GNU General Public License by Yggdrasil.
Because of the high level of technology risk inherent in building the
first DVD-9, and building it from a new development system, we chose
to begin with a very simple product.  A user cannot install Linux
from Linux DVD Archives, so it is only useful as an accessory for
current Linux users.  What the product does provide is the largest
collection of software from the metalab.unc.edu and ftp.gnu.org
archives ever assembled on a single mass produced medium.

	DVD-9 is the state of the art in disc manufacturing, requiring
equipment that can bond together layers with two different metals: the
conventional aluminum used on CD's and single-layer DVD's, with a
layer of gold, giving the discs their distinctive look: silvery on top
and gold underneath.  Although the manufacturing process may be more
exotic than with smaller DVD's, Linux DVD Archives should be compatible
with all DVD-ROM drives.

	There have been other DVD-ROM's produced for Linux, but these
have been "DVD-5" discs, which consist of a single aluminum layer like a
conventional CD and have to 55% of the capacity available per side
with DVD technology.  Yggdrasil's DVD-9 product enables use of the
full capacity.  The bigger difference, in terms of which event will
improve products available to end users, is that Yggdrasil has released
its internally developed software for making DVD's under the GNU General
Public License, eliminating an expensive proprietary barrier throughout
the Linux industry for DVD production, an act which will likely presage
more widespread development of DVD-ROM's.


Related Web Links:
	"Linux DVD Archives Product Information"
		http://www.yggdrasil.com/Products/dvd_arc/2000.09/
	
	"How we made a Linux DVD-9 Archive"
		http://www.yggdrasil.com/Products/dvd_arc/2000.09/making.html

	"DVDTAPE: free DVD mastering software"
		http://www.yggdrasil.com/Projects/dvdtape/

	Yggdrasil web page
		http://www.yggdrasil.com


Yggdrasil Computing, Inc.
4880 Stevens Creek Blvd Suite 205
San Jose, CA 95129-1034
Fax: 1-408-261-6631
info@yggdrasil.com
http://www.yggdrasil.com